Ryan Ong

A digital dandy with an old soul, Ryan Ong is 26 years old but his penchant for sartorial classics, time-telling creations, and witty repartee reflects a maturity way beyond his years.

A rising content creator, who’s also a network security engineer, Ong was first drawn to horology in 2013, when he became fascinated by the “intricate interplay of small, highly technical components” that make watches—and tech gadgets—tick.

Since then, he’s steadfastly grown his collection to 15, selecting them for several reasons: sentimental value to mark life milestones; masterful craftsmanship; and statement makers that reflect his personal style. These include two Patek Philippe timepieces—the World Time Ref 5231G, which features a map of Southeast Asia and Oceania on its dial, reminding him of Australia where he grew up; and the Chronograph Ref 5172G, which houses the brand’s first in-house manual winding chronograph calibre CH 29-535 PS—as well as his Rolex Day-Date 36, scintillating with pavé diamonds and baguette-cut, rainbow‑coloured sapphire hour markers. “The watch came unexpectedly after an unfortunate event in my life, and the rainbow serves as a reminder of the beauty after a storm,” he shares.

When quizzed on what luxury means to him, Ong says: “My answer a few years ago would have been very different. But today, I define luxury as the ability to do what I want, whenever I want. After spending years apart from my family, I have come to understand that the opportunity to be with my loved ones is truly invaluable.”